Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Gold Dome Society?
The USC Upstate Foundation was established to acknowledge donors and increase awareness of the critical importance of receiving academic assistance from alumni and friends. For the "Investing in Futures" Campaign, new recognition levels have been established to honor and thank donors who have invested in USC Upstate:

The USC Upstate Associates honors contributors who make gifts to the Annual Fund for Excellence on the following level:

Giving Society

Amount of Gift

Gold Dome

$1,000 - 4,999

Leadership

$500 - $999

Excellence

$250 - $499

Loyalty

$100 - $249

Graduate (alumni, first five years after graduation)

$49 - $99

The Chancellor's Society recognizes alumni, friends, corporations and foundations as major donors to USC Upstate on the following level:

Giving Society

Amount of Gift

Founders

$100,000 or greater

Fellows

$50,000 - $99,999

Benefactors

$10,000 - $49,000

Partners

$5,000 - $9,999

Legacy

Bequests and Deferred Gifts

Recognition for both the USC Upstate Associates and Chancellor's Society giving levels is awarded in the fiscal year in which $5,000 or more in cumulative giving is achieved, dating from July 1, 1995 (the beginning of USC Upstate Capital Campaign accounting).

For more information about the USC Upstate giving societies, please contact the USC Upstate Development Office at (864) 503-5209.

Is my gift tax deductible?
Yes. Your contribution in support of USC Upstate is tax deductible to the full extent of the law. Federal law allows donors to take income tax deductions only for the portion of their contribution that are outright gifts. If donors receive any item of value in return for their gift, they must subtract the fair market value or the cost, depending upon the situation, from the charitable gift total.

What is the relationship between the USC Upstate Foundation and Office of Alumni Development?
While both organizations share a common mission of encouraging support for USC Upstate, each is independent and supports the institution in a special way. The Foundation's distinct focus is to raise and manage funds for the University's academic programs. Alumni Development keeps USC Upstate alumni data up to date as well as provides programs and events of interest to alumni.

Can I designate my gift?
Unrestricted gifts give the University the greatest flexibility in allocating funds where they are most needed. You may, however, restrict your contribution to one of the specific needs of USC Upstate, such as scholarships, building renovations and restorations, faculty enhancements, and library acquisitions.

Employer Matching Gifts
More than 1,000 companies sponsor Matching Gift Programs for employees and their families, especially to institutions of higher education. Most companies match gifts on a dollar per dollar basis. Some companies match on a 2:1 or even 3:1 basis. Each company manages its own program and distributes its own forms. Please contact your human resources office for more information.

Matching gifts are a wonderful way to impact the USC Upstate, with no extra cost to you! If you work for a company with a Matching Gift Program, please take advantage of this employee benefit.

The University of South Carolina Upstate is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award baccalaureate and masters degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia, 30033 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of USC Upstate. Comments or Complaints?